Original Compositions / English Translations of Art Songs & Arias / Program Notes

Astronomy (Song for Maureen)

My dear friend Maureen Miller (1946-2005) was a Jacksonville artist and designer, and a source of joy to all who knew her. She maintained boundless warmth and humor even while suffering the ravages of lupus that eventually robbed us of her. Astronomy was begun soon after her passing, and was first heard as a ballad (with synthesized accompaniment) at her memorial service. It reflects how random, unrelated thoughts can lead us to those we love, and how we seek solace through hope, even in the face of terrible loss.

This recording of the solo version uses the original synthesized accompaniment.

I wrote a piano accompaniment in July 2006 to go with an arrangement for mixed voices, prepared at the request of Dr. Carole Clifford for the Orange Park Chorale (Orange Park, Florida).

Astronomy (Song for Maureen)

There's Jupiter ...

It's like five million miles away,

but textbooks never mention "up"

--I guess 'cause everything is relative.

I'll bet it's lonely there.

I know it's lonely here

without her.

I'm wondering,

how far away is heaven?

Some say it's just beyond these stars ...

I guess a song won't have the answer,

but I bet it's lovely there.

I know it's lonely here.

And if home is where the heart is,

well, then mine's beyond those stars,

a million broken pieces

out of reach.

I'm wondering

if there's a God in heaven,

and can He turn this night to dawn?

I know a song can't hold the answer,

but she won't be lonely there.

But god, it's lonely here ...

And if home is where the heart is,

well, then mine's beyond those stars,

a million broken pieces

out of reach.

Now I'm wondering,

how far away is heaven?

Some say it's just beyond those stars.

I know a song can't hold the answer,

but you won't be lonely there.

God knows, it's lonely here,

so lonely. It's lonely here

without you.

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